Side-by-side
Compare the planning choices people weigh most.
Each comparison gives the short answer first, lays the two options side by side, and points to the calculator that runs your own numbers.
- Retirement taxConvert to Roth vs. Keep it traditionalCompare paying tax now on a Roth conversion with deferring it in a traditional IRA, including brackets, RMDs, IRMAA and what heirs inherit.
- Charitable planningCharitable remainder trust vs. Donor-advised fundA CRT pays you income and gives charity the rest; a donor-advised fund gives charity everything with a deduction up front. Compare costs, control and taxes.
- Charitable planningCharitable lead trust vs. Charitable remainder trustBoth trusts split a gift between charity and family, in opposite order. See who is paid first, how the 7520 rate affects each, and when each one fits.
- Business ownersEarnout vs. Seller noteCompare earnouts and seller notes in a business sale: what is guaranteed, what depends on performance, how each is taxed, and how to plan retirement around them.
- Retirement taxUse NUA vs. Roll it all to an IRACompare taking employer stock out of a 401(k) using NUA with rolling everything into an IRA: how each is taxed, the trade-offs, and when NUA tends to win.